Millions of children undergo surgery every year, but it may be of little comfort to you if your child is one of them. It’s normal to feel anxious, but preparing yourself and your child will help ensure that your child is safe and healthy and that your nerves are under control.

Asking questions and talking to your child’s care team, including the anesthetist, will help you feel more confident and relaxed, and help you learn more about what to expect.

Asking questions and talking to your child’s care team, including the anesthesiologist, will help you learn more about what to expect.

If your child is scheduled for surgery or a procedure that involves anesthesia, you may be worried about what will happen. The most important thing you can do to reduce the already low risk of problems is to make sure your child’s anesthesia care is managed by an anesthesiologist, a doctor who specializes in anesthesia, pain control, and critical care medicine. With 12 to 14 years of education, including medical school, and 12,000 to 16,000 hours of clinical training, these medical experts consult with you and members of the care team to develop the best anesthesia care plan for your child.

Anesthesiologists understand that children are often afraid of medical procedures and surgeries, and they will work with you, your child, and the other doctors and nurses before, during, and after the procedure to ease fears and ensure your child’s safety and comfort.

You will meet with the anesthetist to discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used and how it will be given. You will also be able to ask questions about potential side effects and your child’s experience during surgery and recovery. The anesthesiologist will ask about your child’s health and your family’s medical history to find out about conditions such as asthma or allergies, what medicines your child is taking, and whether your child or family members have had anesthesia – and any problems with it – in the past.

The anesthetist will also tell you how your child should prepare for the operation. For example, your child may not be able to eat anything or take any prescribed medication the night before and the day of surgery.

During the operation, the anesthesiologist will give medication to keep your child comfortable and pain-free. Depending on what works best for your child, the medicine will be given either through an IV or a mask that lets your child inhale the medicine. Your child will be closely monitored throughout the procedure for changes in heart rate, breathing and blood pressure, and if necessary, adjustments will be made to the anesthetic to help keep your child safe and comfortable.

Fear of the unknown is often worse than reality, so it’s important to be honest about what will happen and explain that the surgery is being done to fix something that’s wrong or to help the child feel better. Your child’s age and ability to understand will help you decide how much information to give.

Tell your child that the hospital or clinic will not be like home. Some hospitals give children tours to familiarize them with the environment and have professionals on staff who specialize in explaining things to children. Also, ask about the availability of child-oriented videos and books. Some younger children benefit from having staff or family members play into the hospital stay, using pictures, dolls and other toys to explain what to expect and answer their questions.

Remember that children take cues from their parents, so if you are calm and confident, your child is more likely to be too.

Hospitals encourage parents to bring their children’s favorite and familiar items from home, so pack books, a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. Let your child help with the packing and choose what he or she wants to take.

Tell your child that he or she will take a nap after taking some medicine provided by a special doctor and they will not feel anything during the operation. Avoid saying the doctor will “put you to sleep” because some children associate it with a pet that was euthanized. Explain that many doctors and nurses will be there to make sure everything goes well. Tell your child that after the operation, he or she may have pain, an upset stomach, or even vomit, but the nurses and doctors will give medicine to make it better. Reassure your child that you will be around at all times.

Some children regain consciousness after anesthesia and are fully alert immediately; others are groggy for a few hours. Nausea and vomiting sometimes occur. Once the procedure is over, your child’s pain will continue to be controlled. The anesthesiologist will determine the safest and most effective pain control method to make your child’s recovery as comfortable as possible. This may include medication given by mouth, through an IV with a pump, or injection of local anesthetic around nerves.

Anesthesiologists work with your surgical team to evaluate, monitor, and supervise your care before, during, and after surgery—delivering anesthesia, managing the anesthesia care team, and ensuring your optimal safety.